Hidden image game piece

ABSTRACT

A hidden image game piece is formed on a transparent or translucent substrate which is part of an optical disc (e.g., a CD or DVD). The hidden image can be used to contain a “key” which is required to gain access to the data contained on the optical disc, thereby aiding in the prevention of that type of piracy of the content of the optical disc which could be accomplished by a simple disc-to-disc copy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/173,385, filed Jun. 17, 2002 now abandoned,which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/437,254, filed Nov. 10, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,900 entitledMETHOD OF USING A HIDDEN IMAGE GAME PIECE, issued Oct. 2, 2001, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/081,795, filed May20, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,367 entitled HIDDEN IMAGE GAME PIECE,issued Nov. 16, 1999. It is also claims the priority of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/148,226, filed Aug. 9, 1999 entitled ORIGINALNET DECODER and PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US99/26464, filed Nov. 10,1999. The present application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,062which was also a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No.09/437,254.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to game pieces. In particular, the presentinvention relates to game pieces which reveal concealed information whenexposed to an additive light source.

2. Description of the Related Art

In numerous types of situations and environments it is desirable ornecessary to provide a substrate which carries a hidden image. Thathidden image might be a word, number, icon, logo, drawing, picture,depiction, marking, message, pattern, or some other indicia. Forexample, when a sheet with a hidden image is used as a game piece, itshidden image, once revealed, may be used to:

(a) communicate the name of a particular prize in a sweepstakes;

(b) communicate a particular number which has to be matched identicallyto a predetermined “winning” number in order to win a prize;

(c) communicate a particular word which has to be matched identically toa predetermined “winning” word in order to win a prize; or

(d) communicate a particular image, picture, logo, or icon in order towin a prize.

Often, there is a predetermined “seeding” structure inherent in agame-piece-delivered sweepstakes in which only a certain predeterminednumber of “winning” game pieces are printed and distributed for eachcorresponding prize level. However, because the game piece's potentially“winning” information is hidden, no contest participant has a chance towin unless he or she interacts with a game piece to reveal its concealedimage.

There are numerous ways to create a substrate which carries a hiddenimage. All of these techniques could theoretically be used to create agame piece with a hidden image. For example, in some merchandisingschemes a hidden image is present on a substrate, and it can be readonly after a coating is removed, such as by scratching the coating orotherwise removing all, or portions of, the coating. Some types ofhidden images on a substrate appear only after a chemical solution isapplied to the substrate. Some types of hidden images which are carriedby a substrate appear only after a reaction occurs in the image when thesubstrate is subjected to artificial or natural light. Some types ofhidden images which are carried by a substrate are made to appear onlyafter the substrate is subjected to a significant temperature change.Some types of hidden images which are carried by a substrate are madevisible only when observed by special types of light. Some types ofhidden images which are carried upon a substrate are made visible forreading only when viewed through special optics. Several other methodsfor applying and reading hidden images have also been created.

Devices have been created in which a hidden image carried on a substrateonly becomes visible when exposed to specific color(s) of light in thevisible spectrum. Typically, such devices are created by using printing,or some other technique, to apply images to the substrate. For example,the image which is to be hidden may be applied to the substrate usingone color. Then the marking, pattern, or image which has been designedto conceal the hidden image may be applied to the same portion of thesubstrate as the hidden image, using a different color. Generally, theconcealing marking, pattern, or image is designed to cover, surround, orotherwise camouflage the concealed image in a way that makes theconcealed image imperceptible in normal light. Often, a “mezzotint”pattern is used for the concealing marking, pattern, or image(“mezzotint” refers to a computer-generated pattern which has red andyellow elements; such a pattern is often used to disguise an imageprinted in light blue). An image which has been hidden in this mannermay be revealed by exposing the substrate to light of a color similar tothe concealing marking, pattern, or image.

All of the previously known methods for creating a light-activatedhidden image game piece have proved to be unsuitable for creating ahidden image game piece which is capable of being activated by thelow-intensity light emanated by a typical computer monitor screen. Inthe past, light-activated hidden image game pieces have typically: (1)employed a paper substrate; (2) not required that the density of theinks applied to the substrate be limited to a specific range; and (3)used a color filtering device to provide the specific color of lightrequired to activate the game piece.

A number of game pieces have been created in which a previously hiddenimage will be revealed when the game piece is viewed through a colorfiltering device. As used herein, the term “color filtering device”refers to a device which tends to prevent the transmission of light raysof a substantially different color than the color filtering device. Forexample, if the primary color red is used for the color filteringdevice, it will absorb light of the other primary colors, namely blueand green, while passing red light. Accordingly, objects which areotherwise blue or green will appear black (in the absence of lighttransmission); red objects will remain red; white objects will also beseen as red, as the blue and green components of the white light will beabsorbed by the color filtering device. Accordingly, on a whitebackground, a blue image may be surrounded and camouflaged by redmarkings so as to appear substantially illegible when viewed with thenaked eye. When viewed through a red filter, however, the image can beseen as a black image on a solid red background. U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,656entitled TOY PICNIC SET HAVING A LATENT IMAGE PLACEMAT which issued onMay 17, 1994 to J. Michaels shows the use of red filter (specifically, atransparent red plate in a toy picnic set) to reveal a hidden image inthis way. A similar use of a red filter to reveal a hidden image isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,032 entitled MYSTERY PUZZLE GAME whichissued on Mar. 28, 1995 to T. L. Barnhart, et al.

An approach other than the color-filtering technique described above isrequired when designing a hidden-image game piece capable of beingactivated by a device such as a computer monitor. While a color filteruses ambient natural or artificial light, and screens out those colorsof light which are undesired, it is also possible to “add” light of aspecific color to a game piece, without filtering the ambient light. Inthe case of a computer monitor, or similar device, the “additive” lightneeded for activation of the game piece may be obtained by placing thegame piece on a specifically-colored area of the screen of an operatingmonitor, or a device which otherwise gives off colored light of thecorrect frequency. This action floods the game piece with the specifictype of colored light required for activation, thereby revealing thehidden image.

By way of example, it is possible to make a paper game piece which isdesigned to be activated by red light when placed on a televisionscreen. In such a game piece, a printed red and yellow mezzotint patterncould be used to conceal a hidden image printed in light blue. When sucha game piece is flooded with the additive red light supplied by a redsquare projected on the television screen from the source oftransmission, the game piece's hidden message will be seen as a blackimage on a red background.

However, a paper game piece designed to be activated by a relativelyhigh-intensity light source, such as a television screen, cannot be usedwith a relatively low-intensity light source, such as a computermonitor. The intensity of the additive light provided by a computermonitor is generally only 80-120 candlepower (the intensity of light asource is measured in standard units known as “candlepower”, wherein onecandlepower is equal to the light emitted by one standardized candle). Acomputer monitor's low-intensity light cannot activate a hidden-imagepaper game piece, because it cannot overcome the paper's opacity toreveal the hidden image. Therefore, a traditional paper substrate cannotbe used to create an additive-light game piece designed to be activatedby a computer monitor.

In the past, the density of the ink application used in printing anadditive-light activated hidden image game piece has been of relativelyminor importance. However, when producing an additive-light activatedhidden image game piece which is designed for use with computermonitors, or other devices which emanate relatively low levels ofadditive light, the density of the ink application must be controlledwithin a narrow range. If the density is too high, it will serve toblock the additive light needed to reveal the hidden image. If thedensity is too low, the hidden image and/or the concealing image will beillegible.

In the printing industry, “density” is a term of art. It refers to thethickness of a coating (typically, ink) which is applied to a substrate.One unit of density equals 1/100,000 of an inch (0.00001 inch) ofcoating thickness. Therefore, a density of 100 equals 1/1000 of an inch(0.001 inch) of coating thickness, which is equal to one mil. Printerstypically use a tool known as a “densitometer” to measure coatingthickness.

The phrase “dull coating” is also a term of art in the printingindustry. It is often used interchangeably with the terms “dull varnish”or “frost coating”. A dull coating is a coating which is traditionallyused by printers to enhance the appearance and durability of printedmatter. Such a coating may be oil-based or water-based. A water-baseddull coating is commonly referred to as an “aqueous” coating.

In the past, there has not been any method of providing an electronichidden image game piece of the type described, and such game pieces werealways produced on a substrate, such as a paper or plastic substrate.Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a method for producing“electronic game pieces” which could be displayed on computer monitors,or served from Internet web sites.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a game piece with a hidden image, and a methodfor producing such a game piece. To create the first embodiment of thegame piece of the present invention, a first pattern of colored ink isdeposited on a transparent or highly translucent substrate at a densitywhich is preferably in the range of about 110-180 density in order toform an image. Then, a second pattern of colored ink, having a differentcolor than the first pattern's ink, is deposited upon the substrate at adensity which is preferably in the range of from about 90-170 density.The second pattern should cover at least a portion of the first pattern.When the game piece is flooded with additive light of the same color asthe second pattern's ink, the previously concealed image, composed ofthe first pattern's ink, becomes perceptible. As a transparent, orhighly translucent, substrate is preferably used for the game piece, andbecause the density of the ink application is controlled within certainranges, the game piece thus created may be used with a low intensityadditive light source, such as a computer monitor, or other, similarsource of low-intensity additive light.

Among the advantages of the present invention are that it provides anadditive-light activated hidden image game piece which will reveal itshidden image when exposed to relatively low levels of additive light,such as those typically emanated by a computer monitor. It provides amethod for producing an additive-light activated hidden image game piecewhich will reveal its hidden image when exposed to relatively low levelsof additive light, such as those typically emanated by a computermonitor. Also, it provides method for producing an additive-lightactivated hidden image game piece which creates high quality products.

In accordance with the foregoing embodiment of the present invention,each individual game piece may contain an a hidden image. The number ofsuch images is, of course, determined during the printing step. Thus, ifit is desired to have n different game pieces for distribution, it isnecessary to print n different patterns on the game pieces. As will beobvious, the recipient of a particular game piece can decode that gamepiece by placing it over an additive light source of the correctfrequency, but the image will always remain the same. For someapplications it may be desirable to provide the ability to generatedifferent hidden images without the need to distribute additional gamepieces, something which cannot be done with the first embodiment of theinvention.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, acomputer monitor, or similar device, can be used to generate a patternwhich includes a hidden image. A game piece can be distributed which isa filter, allowing a single color of light to pass therethrough. Thus,if the image displayed on the computer monitor includes a hidden imagehaving a color corresponding to the color of the filter (i.e., the colorof the game piece), surrounded (or overlaid) by an obscuring pattern inother colors, the hidden image will pass through the game piece, whileother areas will appear black.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an electronicgame piece is provided which can be displayed on computer monitors, orserved from Internet web sites. This electronic game piece can be thebasis of several businesses including traditional advertising to driveusers to a physical or electronic location, or even the business ofcreating electronic game pieces to be served from a web site orphysically or electronically produced for distribution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the Drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a substrate on which a hidden image has beenapplied in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, withthe hidden image shown concealed;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the substrate of FIG. 1, on which a hiddenimage has been applied in accordance with the first embodiment of theinvention, with the hidden image shown revealed;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the substrate shown in FIG. 2, taken alongthe lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the manner of manufacturing a game piecein accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a hidden image game piece in accordancewith the first embodiment of the invention being held up to a computermonitor to demonstrate the manner of revealing a hidden image;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the method of manufacturing thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention,which may be produced either as a physical game piece or as anelectronic game piece;

FIGS. 7-13 are plan views illustrating the method of the presentinvention which is used to produce the game piece of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 14-16 are flowcharts illustrating the steps used in the productionof the game piece of FIG. 6;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an inventive method of using thegame piece of FIG. 6;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a game piece which contains a filter used toview an electronically produced game piece made in accordance with thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a pair of eyeglasses containing filterlenses which may be used to view an electronically produced game piecemade in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another inventive business madepossible by the game piece of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a hidden image game piece in accordance withthe present invention shown printed on the outer annulus portion of anoptical disk (e.g., a CD or DVD) which has a metallized inner portionand a transparent outer annular portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the hidden image game piece10, of the present invention, is shown. In the first embodiment, thegame piece 10 is comprised of a substrate 12, which may be transparentor translucent. In the preferred embodiment, a transparent substrate isemployed, although the game piece 10 can be made using a translucentsubstrate, with the opacity of the substrate 12 dependent upon theintensity of the light available from the light source used. Thus, if avery bright light source is used, the substrate 12 can be lesstransparent, while if a low level light source is used, the substrateshould be more transparent. It has been found that good results may bemay be obtained by using a transparent polyester substrate having athickness of about 4 mil, or greater (a “mil” is 1/1000 of an inch).While a typical game piece 10 is formed on a rectangular, transparentpiece of polyester, a suitable substrate can comprise a transparent orhighly translucent optical disc (e.g., a CD or DVD) which could beturned into a game piece in accordance with the present invention byusing the techniques described herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game piece 10 may include visible indicia 14such as a company name or logo, the Uniform Resource Locator (“URL” or“web site address”) 16 of an Internet site, and/or a serial number 18,which can be applied for security reasons. The game piece 10 furtherincludes a concealing image 20 which is used to obfuscate a concealedimage, as will be described hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 2, a concealed image 22 is applied to the surface ofthe substrate 12 by printing the concealed image 22 using a coatingmaterial, such as ink. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, theconcealed image 22 is applied in high density fluorescent yellow ink at120-140 density. A concealing image 20 is applied to the substrate 12over the concealed image 22 by printing the concealing image 20 in acoating material, such as ink, after the concealed image 22 has beenprinted. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, theconcealing image 20 is applied in high density fluorescent process cyanink at 140-150 density. These elements have been combined to form anexemplary game piece 10.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the lines 3-3 are used to representthe cross-section, through a portion of the substrate 12, the concealedimage 22, and the concealing image 20, as shown in FIG. 3. Withreference to FIG. 3 a cross-sectional view of the printed game piece 10taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 is shown. Thus, FIG. 3 shows thetransparent or translucent substrate 12 with the concealed image 22printed thereon, and the concealing image 20 printed over the concealedimage 22. FIG. 3 also shows the “dull” coating 24, applied over the topsof the printed images 20, 22, and preferably over the entire substrate12. Although it the game piece 10 can be manufactured without applyingthe dull coating 24, far better results are generally obtained if thedull coating 24 is used. As recognized by those skilled in the printingarts, the dull coating 24 enhances the game piece 10 by preventing theunderlying printed images 20, 22 from smudging. The dull coating 24 alsogives the printed game piece 10 a “finished” appearance. Another benefitderived from the dull coating 24 is that it substantially reduces thereflectivity of the substrate 12, thereby reducing the contrast betweenthe substrate 12 and the printed images 20, 22. Thus, the application ofthe dull coating 24 to the game piece 10 makes it virtually impossibleto detect the concealed image 22 without additive-light activation.

FIG. 4 shows a user 26 holding a game piece 10 up to a portion of ascreen 28 of a monitor 30 which acts as a source of revealing light ofthe correct color (frequency). In accordance with the preferredembodiment of the invention, the revealing light emitted from the screenis blue additive light, and (at least a portion of) the screen 28 actsas a source of the revealing light. Consequently, when the user 26 holdsthe game piece 10 up to the portion of the screen 28 which provides therevealing light, typically as a blue rectangle, the concealed image 22on the game piece 10 is revealed. As shown, a typical manner ofobtaining the additive blue light needed to reveal the hidden image 22on the game piece 10 is to place the game piece 10 on a blue area of thescreen 28 of an operating computer monitor 30, thereby revealing theconcealed image 22.

While the concealed image 22 is visible when the game piece 10 is heldup to the blue portion of the screen 28, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, onlythe concealing image 20 is visible when the same game piece 10 is notexposed to a blue additive-light source (See, FIG. 1).

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the computer monitor 30 is typicallyconnected to a microcomputer 32, which typically has a keyboard 34 andmouse 36. The microcomputer 32 is preferably connected to a network 34,such as the Internet. This connection can be made in any number of ways,but is typically done using a modem over a telephone line, a directnetwork connection, a cable modem, or by a special purpose phone modemsuch as a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) modem. Other networkconnections can be used, though, without departing from the spirit orscope of the present invention. Thus, when connected to the Internet,for example, the computer 32 may be running a “browser”, such asNetscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer, and the browser may be directedto a URL, often called a “web site”, such as the one printed on the gamepiece 10, as shown in FIG. 1. When at that web site, the user 26 canhold the game piece 10 up to a specific area on the screen 29 of acomputer monitor 30, as shown, in order to decode the hidden image onthe game piece 10.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a block diagram 36 illustrates the methodof manufacturing the game piece 10 of the first embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular, block 38 illustrates the first step inmanufacturing the game piece 10 which is to print the concealed image 22on the substrate 12. In this step 38, the concealed image 22 is createdby process printing colored ink dots on a transparent or translucentsubstrate 12. For best results, the concealed image 22 should be appliedat 120-140 density, using high density fluorescent yellow ink.

Next, as illustrated in block 40, the second step in manufacturing thegame piece 10 involves process printing the concealing image 20 over thesurface of the concealed image 22. At a minimum, the concealing image 20should be applied as a second layer in the area of the concealed image22. However, the concealing image 20 is preferably applied over as muchof the surface of the game piece 10 as desired. In printing theconcealing image 20, colored ink dots of a different color than the inkdots which were used to create the concealed image 22 are used.Preferably, the concealing image 20 is printed using an ink which is ofapproximately the same color as the additive light source which will beused to reveal the concealed image 22. As will be obvious to one ofordinary skill in the art, if the game piece 10 is to be printed on atransparent or translucent substrate, the ink used should not be anopaque ink, as that would prevent additive light from passingtherethrough. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention theconcealing image 20 is printed using high density fluorescent cyan inkapplied at 140-150 density. In addition, it may be desirable during thisstep 40 to apply any other printed matter (i.e., other than theconcealed image 22 and concealing image 20) which is to appear on thegame piece 10. This other indicia 14 (See FIGS. 1 and 2) can be printedin any desired color or colors.

As illustrated in block 42, the third step in manufacturing the gamepiece 10 is the application of a dull coating 24 to the game piece 10.While it is not strictly necessary to employ this step 42, theapplication of the dull coating 24, helps to produce results which aresuperior to those obtained if the dull coating 24 is not used, as thedull coating 24 makes the hidden, concealed image 22 of the game piece10 virtually undetectable until the game piece 10 is exposed to additivelight of the correct color for activation. For best results, an aqueousdull coating 24 should be used.

Finally, block 44 contains the fourth step in manufacturing the gamepiece, which involves allowing the printed substrate to cure for asufficient time, which is dependent upon the substrate, the ink, and theambient temperature and humidity. However, 72 hours is generally asufficient time.

While the game piece 10 of the first preferred embodiment has beendescribed, other embodiments of the present invention have been found toprovide desirable results which cannot be obtained using the game piece10. Also, other methods of manufacturing alternative “game pieces” havebeen developed. Thus, with reference now to FIGS. 6-14, the design of,and a detailed description of the method of making another embodiment ofa game piece 50, in accordance with the present invention, is described.The description of making the game piece 50 which follows is based uponthe use of computer software to perform the layout and production of thegame piece 50. In the preferred method, a programmed microcomputer, suchas a PC (e.g., an “IBM compatible”) or a MAC (e.g., an “Apple Macintosh”compatible) uses software, such as Adobe Illustrator and/or AdobePhotoshop to produce images which make up “layers” containing theconcealing and concealed images. These layers are combined to producethe game piece 50. As will be further explained hereinafter, the gamepiece 50 may be produced and printed on a substrate 52, which may beeither transparent, translucent, or opaque. Thus, the game piece 50 maybe printed on plastic material, on paper, on cloth, or on othermaterials (e.g., advertising materials, mugs, or other promotionalitems). Alternatively, the “game piece” 50 may exist solely as acomputer generated file, in a suitable format such as an AdobeIllustrator file (e.g., an “.ai”, or “.eps” file), an Adobe Photoshopfile (e.g., a “.psd” file), an Adobe Acrobat file (e.g., a “.pdf” file),or some other graphics file (e.g., a “.jpg” file, a “.bmp” file, or a“.tif” file) in which case it may be included in a web page (an “HTML”file) to be “distributed” over a network, such as the Internet, or on adiskette or CD-ROM, without departing from the present invention. Thedescription which follows describes specific steps which are carried outon a computer using Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop, both ofwhich are produced and distributed by Adobe Systems Incorporated, 345Park Avenue, San Jose, Calif. 9510-2704. While Adobe Illustrator andAdobe Photoshop are used in the preferred method of preparing electronicgame pieces, other software could be used without departing from thepresent invention.

Starting with Adobe Illustrator, one begins to produce the game piece 50by creating a new document. In the new document, it is desirable to setthe resolution to be about 2540 dots per inch (“dpi”) in order to permitprinting at very high resolution. Once a new document has been opened,one first creates a wavy line, such as wavy line 60, shown in FIG. 7.The wavy line 60 is a Bézier path, having endpoints 62, 64. While Bézierpaths are produced in Adobe Illustrator, other wavy line paths, such assine waves, could be used, as the only significance of the wavy linepath is that it will be used as a baseline for producing concealing textwhich undulates, so as to have an appearance which is ultimately quiteeffective at hiding the hidden text.

By selecting the end point 62 of the wavy line 60 using the Reflect(Mirror) Tool and then copying the wavy line 60 about a vertical axis,the wavy line 60 is replicated as a mirror image adjacent to theoriginal wavy line 60. The end point 64 of the original wavy line 60,and the adjacent end point of the replicated version of the wavy line(not shown) are joined using a smooth join, so as to make a single newwavy line which is twice the length of the original wavy line 60. In thepreferred embodiment of making the game piece 50, this process isrepeated a number of times so as to obtain an elongated, undulating wavyline 70, as shown in FIG. 8. The purpose of producing the elongated,undulating wavy line 70 is to use it as the “baseline” path for theconcealing image, which is typically a typed name, phrase, URL, or otheradvertising indicia, as shown at 54 in FIG. 6.

Using the Path Type Tool, the text which will be used to produce theconcealing image 54 is next entered on the elongated, undulating wavyline 70, thereby producing a line of wavy text 72, as shown in FIG. 9.Those familiar with Adobe Illustrator will recognize that the elongated,undulating wavy line 70 does not appear in the ultimate image 54, butthat it is used as the “baseline” for text to be entered on theelongated wavy line 70. Thus, while the elongated, undulating wavy line70 is visible when producing the Illustrator artwork, it is not visibleon the printout when the artwork is printed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and9-11.

Referring next to FIG. 10, the line of wavy text 72 (FIG. 9) isduplicated a number of times to produce an image 74 comprised ofmultiple copies of the line of wavy text 72. As the purpose of theconcealing image 54 (See FIG. 6) is to obfuscate the concealed image onthe game piece 50, it has been found that it is best to avoid havingrepeated, identical lines of wavy text 72, as that produces flowing“rivers” of white space 76, or flowing white space areas 78 with minimaltext (e.g., lines of periods, as shown) through which any discontinuity,such as the concealed text image, would be relatively easy to perceive.

Accordingly, the next step in the preferred embodiment of the invention,is illustrated in FIG. 11 in which each line of text is preferablymodified by adding and/or deleting characters, or otherwise offsettingthe text, such that adjacent lines are not identical, thereby producingan offset wavy text pattern 80, in which adjacent lines, i.e., lines 82,84 are offset, such that the white space “rivers” 76, and the otherflowing white space areas 78 (See, FIG. 10) are substantiallyeliminated. Thus, the offset wavy text pattern 80 of FIG. 11, appears tobe far less uniform than the repeated wavy text pattern 74 of FIG. 10.As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, this offsetting ofthe concealing text further serves to provide a concealing image 54(FIG. 6) which will obfuscate a hidden image.

Once the offset wavy text pattern 80 has been produced, it is used tocreate one or more concealing image masks, such as the mask 82 shown inFIG. 12. To create the mask 82 using Adobe Illustrator, one starts withthe offset wavy text pattern 80 of FIG. 11. Then, using the RectangleTool, a rectangular box 84 is drawn around the wavy text pattern 80. Therectangular box 84 is sent to the back of the image, and it is hidden.Next, the text, which has been formed using a suitable font, isconverted into outlines. It has been found that to be desirable to use afont, such as Arial Black, or other relatively wide (or bold) san seriffont to produce the concealing text. Thus, in the preferred embodiment,Arial Black, 12 pt. font is used.

The text in the wavy text pattern 80 must be converted to “outlines” sothat it can be integrated into the mask 82. Accordingly, the next stepin the inventive method involves releasing the compound paths, selectingall of the objects, and then making compound paths. This step is used,because a mask must be a single “shape” defined by a compound path.Finally, the Select Tool is clicked outside of the box 84 to yield themask 82, as shown in FIG. 12. While color has not been a factor thus farin the development of the mask 82, which is typically produced in blackwith white “text” (actually the paths defining the text, as the text nolonger exists once it has been converted into a compound path), it isnow necessary to invoke the color selection process to produce at leastone mask, but preferably two masks, which can be saved as computerfiles, preferably in a format which can be imported into AdobePhotoshop.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first mask, called thelower mask, is colored yellow (where the mask 82 is black) by selectingthe image 82 and then adjusting the color palette to all yellow (settingyellow's value to 100) with no cyan, magenta, or black (setting thesevalues to 0). This mask, called the “Yellow Mask”, should be saved in asuitable format (e.g., as an “.eps” file). After saving the Yellow Mask,the color palette can be adjusted to provide a cyan image (by changingthe value of cyan to 100 and the value of yellow to 0, with the blackand magenta already set to 0), and the second, or upper mask, which maybe called the “Cyan Mask” is saved, again, preferably as an “.eps” file.

Having created both the Yellow and Cyan Masks, which will be used toconceal the hidden image, it is now necessary to create the hidden textimage. Referring to FIG. 13, the concealed or hidden text 90 can besimply typed onto a blank document in a suitable font. It has been foundto be beneficial to use a relatively large serif font, such as a 36 pt.Times font, and to form it in an outlined stroke 92 with a whiteinterior 94, with the stroke 92 having the same color as the lower mask,i.e., yellow in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Thus, in thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the hidden text image 90 isformed using a yellow stroke 92, having a thickness of between about 1pts and 4 pts, and a white fill 94, as shown. After completing thehidden text image 90, it, too, is saved, preferably as an “.eps” file.

Having created three separate files—one each for the Yellow Mask, theCyan Mask, and the Hidden Text, it is time to assemble them into asingle image. While the assembly can be accomplished in AdobeIllustrator (in which case all of the foregoing could be accomplished ina single document without intermediate file saving), in the preferredmethod, the assembly is accomplished using Adobe Photoshop, as there areseveral functions available in Adobe Photoshop (e.g., filters, and colormodifications) which make it easy to create unique patterns, colors,and/or formats.

After starting Adobe Photoshop, the Yellow Mask, Cyan Mask, and HiddenText images are loaded, and a new file is created. The Yellow Mask isselected, copied, and pasted into the new file (alternatively, ofcourse, the Yellow Mask file could be used as the “new” file, and itcould simply be renamed, so as to preserve the original file'sintegrity, as it may be needed again). At this point, the first layer ofthe new image has been placed into the new file, where it is identifiedas Layer 1 (using Adobe Photoshop nomenclature). Next, the Hidden Textimage is selected, copied, and pasted into the new file, where itbecomes Layer 2. Finally, the Cyan Mask is selected, copied, and pastedinto the new file, where it becomes Layer 3.

At this point, Adobe Photoshop will have a single file with Layers 1, 2,and 3 overlaying each other. In order to help hide the Hidden Image(Layer 2), Layer 3 should be offset vertically and horizontally somewhatfrom Layer 1. This step is readily accomplished using the Move Tool tomove either Layer 1 or Layer 3. Usually, an offset of about one-half acharacter horizontally, and about one-half a line vertically issufficient. In addition, or alternatively, Layers 1 and/or 3 can be“distorted”, such as by using the “spherize” filter and/or the “twirl”filters. Note, that Layer 2, which contains the hidden text should notbe distorted in any manner which will adversely affect one's ability toread the hidden text. Layer 3 should be placed in “multiply” mode,whereby the overall image will appear green from the blending of thecyan in Layer 3 with the yellow in Layers 1 and 2.

At this point, the image thus formed can be cropped, so as to eliminatethe yellow and cyan edges which appeared when Layers 1 and 3 wereoffset. The Photoshop image should now be saved in Photoshop (“.psd”)format to preserve the layers in the event that additional game pieces,with different hidden messages (i.e., different Layer 2's) are to beproduced with the same Layers 1 and 3. Then, depending upon the ultimateuse for the game piece 50, the present invention provides for a numberof options and uses for the game piece 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, the method of making the game piece 50 ofthe present invention is explained. First, with reference to FIG. 14, aflow chart 100 sets forth the steps used to create mask image 82 (FIG.12). The first step 102 is to create a wavy line path (See, elongatedwavy line path 70, FIG. 8). In the next step 104, the concealing text isplaced on the wavy line path (See, wavy text 72, FIG. 9). The line ofwavy text is then replicated 106 to form adjacent, identical lines ofwavy text (See, 74 in FIG. 10). Then, the text in the adjacent lines isoffset 110 (See, 80 in FIG. 11), and a mask (See, 82 in FIG. 12) isproduced 110. Copies of the mask are then colored and saved 112.

Referring to FIG. 15, the process of creating the image of the hiddentext 90 (FIG. 13) is shown in flow chart 114. This process involves thesteps of creating the hidden text message 116, coloring the hidden text118, and saving the hidden text file 120.

The process of using the mask and hidden image files to create anelectronic game piece is described in the flow chart 130 shown in FIG.16, in which the first step 132 is to load the mask and hidden imagefiles into Adobe Photoshop. Next, as shown in block 134, the Yellow Maskis placed as Layer 1 in a file. Then, as shown in block 136, the hiddenmessage file is placed into the file, as Layer 2. In the following step138, the Cyan Mask is placed into the file as Layer 3. In the followingstep 140, Layers 1 and 3 are misaligned, and either, or both, of themcan be optionally filtered (e.g., spherized and/or twirled). At thispoint the Photoshop (“.psd”) file should be saved, so that it may berecalled as a three layer Photoshop (“.psd”) file thereby enabling easyreplacement of Layer 2 (the Hidden Message layer) for different gamepieces in the same game. This way several game pieces can be made toappear virtually identical, even though they have different hidden textmessages. Finally, in step 144, the mode of Layer 3 (the cyan layer) ischanged to “multiply”, the layers are “flattened”, the color mode ischanged to RGB, and the file is saved in a suitable format (e.g., as a“.jpg” file) for electronic distribution and/or printing. Optionally, inthis step 144 the RGB curves can be adjusted to give the image a magenta(rather than green) appearance in order to enhance the effect produced.

To make a game piece 50 substantially equivalent to the game piece 10,the additional indicia 14, including the URL 16 and serial number 18,can be added, the electronic game piece 50 can be sized, and it can thenbe printed on paper or a suitable transparent or translucent substrate.It can even be printed on a transferable substrate for application tocloth (e.g., a T-shirt transfer) or to a mug, for example. If printed ona polyethylene substrate 52, the main difference between the presentembodiment of the invention and the embodiment 10 is that the presentembodiment 50 includes the Yellow Layer under (or incorporated with) theHidden Text Layer, in addition to the Cyan Layer above the Hidden Textlayer. It would still be desirable, of course, to provide a “dullfinish” layer as an overcoat.

The present embodiment 50 of the invention, provides several new areasfor exploiting game pieces of the type described. In particular, thegame piece 50 can be made to exist solely as an electronic image. Inthat regard, additional manipulation in Photoshop can provide a uniquefile, having capabilities not available with the game piece 10. Inparticular, the three layers of the Photoshop image can be “flattened”,the mode of the image can be changed into RGB mode, and the flattenedimage can be sized and saved as a “.jpg” file. The RGB “.jpg” file canthen be displayed directly on a computer monitor, as part of a piece ofsoftware, or as an image served up by a web server. Thus, instead ofhaving to distribute unique game pieces, as is necessary with the gamepiece 10, instead, electronically produced unique game pieces 50(differing from one another by their hidden text message, for example)can be served up at a web site at different times, such that a largeprize “winner” will only be exposed (served) for a limited amount oftime, while other prizes, and non-winners can be exposed at other times.Since the hidden message on the electronic game piece 50 can be changedand displayed on Internet web sites, as desired, it is even possible touse the game piece 50 as the basis for sending coded messages over theInternet, or via e-mail. In that regard, it may be desirable to have thetop layer be patterned, rather than all cyan. For example, if the toplayer is formed in stripes of cyan and magenta, a the decoder piece,corresponding to a filter having cyan and magenta stripes would be usedto decode the image.

In order to view the hidden image on the electronic game piece 50 of thepresent embodiment of the invention, a user would hold up a coloredfilter, which could be distributed for use with multiple games. Such afilter could be in the form of a colored plastic sheet (See, FIG. 18),or a pair of eyeglasses (See, FIG. 19) having colored plastic lenses. Inthe preferred embodiment of the game piece 50, the plastic sheet or thelenses in the eyeglasses would be blue (cyan).

In converting images to RGB format in Photoshop, it has been discoveredthat a very effective result can be obtained by reversing the imagecurve for the RGB channel (using the menu selectionsImage|Adjust|Curve), so that the input is switched from 255 to 0, whilethe output is switched from 0 to 255. This adjustment of the RGB curveprovides an electronic image which looks like magenta over blue, andwhich is very effective at further obfuscating the hidden image.

While the preferred method of making the present invention has beendescribed in detail, other variations can be employed without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it may be desirable toinclude a logo on the game piece, and this can readily be accomplishedby setting the logo in cyan with a white outline, and placing it on topof the normal wavy pattern in the cyan layer. Then, above the yellowlayer, the hidden copy can be set in a san-serif format in yellow with avery wide white outline (preferably on the order of from about 8 to 12points), and the hidden image would be set just under where the logoplacement would be. In this format, it has been found that the hiddencopy should not be formed in type more than 14 points high. No changesto the bottom layer will be needed.

While the hidden image game piece of the preferred embodiment of theinvention, along with the manner in which it is made have now been fullydescribed, it has been found that other variations of the presentinvention can be made. In particular, in the preferred embodiment thusfar described, the game piece is formed with both a hidden image and aconcealing image, and the revealing light source (which is blue light inthe preferred embodiment of the invention) is generated on the screen ofa computer monitor. It has been found that hidden image game pieces thusformed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention arean ideal way to drive recipients of such game pieces to a web site onthe Internet, as the game pieces may include indicia about contests,discounts, or other items of interest to a recipient. As the recipientwill not know whether the game piece which they receive (e.g., in amailing, in a box or other container containing goods, in an advertisingpiece, etc.) is a “winner” until subjected to the revealing lightsource, they are induced to go to the provider's web site to hold thegame piece up to a specified location on a specified web page. In orderto gain access to the specified web page, it may first be necessary forthe recipient to enter demographic information on one or more precedingweb pages, or they may subjected to advertising by the operator of theweb page. Thus, one application of the game piece is to provide a basisfor driving recipients to a web page hosted by the game piece supplier.

As the revealing light source which is generated on the computer monitoris only a source of additive light having the correct color, analternative method of using the game piece 50 is to have the recipientcome to a retail outlet operated by the game piece provider to check outwhether or not they hold a “winning” game piece which could be good fordiscounts in the store, or other prizes. This can be accomplished in anumber of ways. For example, a retail store can have a computer set up,and holders of game pieces can be asked to enter demographic informationprior to a revealing light source being made available on the computermonitor. In this embodiment, it is not necessary for game piecerecipients to have access to the Internet, or to even own a computer.Alternatively, a simple computer monitor-like display can be in thestore, and it need only have a source of revealing light displayedthereon, and no computer or computer monitor need be available in thestore.

While a number of ways to use the game piece heretofore described havebeen set forth, it has been discovered that the image formed on the gamepiece 50, and printed on the substrate can also be produced in the formof a computer generated image which can be displayed on a computermonitor or printed on an opaque substrate, such as a piece of paper, oron a post card, a box or other container, or otherwise made availablefor distribution. If the hidden image game piece 50 thus formed isdisplayed on a computer monitor, for example, a user can receive a gamepiece (See game piece 160, FIG. 18) which contains a filter of thecorrect color, on a piece of plastic. Alternatively, the user canreceive of a pair of eyeglasses containing lenses of the correct color(See FIG. 19). In this embodiment of the invention, it is not necessaryfor the recipient to receive multiple game pieces to play a number oftimes, as new images can be periodically placed on a web site, and theplayer (i.e., the recipient of the revealing game piece or eyeglasses)can repeatedly revisit the web site to see if a winning image is beingdisplayed at the time when they “visit”. Advantages of this latterembodiment are that the task of distribution of a game decoding pieceneed occur only once, yet the recipient is induced to repeatedly visitthe game site in order to check on whether they have “won” a prize.Thus, if the game piece 50 is being used in connection with anadvertising promotion, it is possible to distribute a single gamedecoding piece once, while inducing the recipient to “play” a numberdifferent games, or the same game a number of different times.

The present game pieces 10, 50 provide for numerous of businessopportunities which can be exploited over a network, such as theInternet. In particular, a first such business opportunity can beexpressed as a business model involving the steps 152, 154, 156, 158illustrated in the flowchart 150 shown in FIG. 17. In this businessmodel, the first step 152 involves producing game pieces by printingthem on a transparent substrate. The game pieces 10, 50 can be producedby any of the methods heretofore described, and the game pieces 10, 50may include a hidden message, as do the game pieces 10, 50, or they maysimply be colored filters (See, FIG. 18) or eyeglasses (See FIG. 19) foruse with a computer generated electronic game piece 50, as describedabove. In the next step 154, the game pieces are distributed withdirections to “visit” a game site. As described above, a game site canbe an Internet web site (“address” or “URL”) on the World Wide Web, orit may be a physical location, such as a retail outlet. The user, havingthe game piece will then “go to” the game site. When the user “goes to”a physical game site, such as a retail outlet, they will be in aposition where the game piece provider is able to collect demographicinformation from the user, offer a credit card to the user, show theuser products available for sale, or simply have the user pass throughthe retail outlet, prior to allowing the user to “play” by availing theuser of a source of additive light. As described above, the source ofadditive light could be provided by a computer monitor attached to acomputer programmed to obtain the demographic information from the user.Alternatively, the source of additive light could be a computer monitor“mock up” which simply provides, for example, a screen having a bluerectangular area.

Alternatively, the step 156 could be an information gathering form on apage of a web site, into which a user must insert demographicinformation, or some advertising or promotional screen at a web site,which a user must go to prior to being able to press a “button” whichultimately takes the user to the actual game site page where the sourceof additive light is provided.

As a further alternative to the foregoing method of providingadvertising and/or obtaining demographic information from a user, thegame piece 160 provided to the user can contain a filter 162 which maybe a colored area of the game piece 160, as shown in FIG. 18. The gamepiece 160 can also contain other advertising 164 and address indicia166. Alternatively, it could be in the form of a pair of “eyeglasses”,which may be simply plastic or cardboard frames 170 having suitablefilters 172 for lenses, and which may contain advertising 174 thereon,as shown in FIG. 19.

Yet another business model made available by the game piece of thepresent invention involves the creation of the game pieces themselves.Thus, an Internet web site can be established which contains a number oftemplates for game pieces, such as the game pieces 50 of FIG. 6 or thegame piece 160 of FIG. 18. At the web site a user could be asked to“fill in” a selected template with appropriate advertising indiciaand/or enter one or more “hidden messages”, and the text for theconcealing image (See 54, FIG. 6). The user could then be asked toprovide ordering information to have game pieces provided (either byremote printing and production) or in an electronic file format (such asone or more “.jpg” files). Payment could be solicited from the user viacredit card, or other form of billing, and delivery could beaccomplished either physically, or electronically (e-mail, etc.).

The steps set forth above, are illustrated in the flowchart 180 of FIG.20 wherein the first step 182 is to create at least one template forproducing electronic game pieces. The template could be similar to thegame piece 50 shown in FIG. 6, except that “fill-in fields” would beshown, instead of the information of a specific user. The next step 182is to make the template(s) available at a particular web site on theInternet. A user who “goes to” the web site will be presented with aform or other method of filling in the fields with their own uniquehidden message, their own concealing message, and, optionally, suchother indicia (e.g., advertising, logos, their own art work which couldbe uploaded, etc.) for inclusion into a game piece to be produced, asshown in step 184. Once a user has selected a template, and provided theappropriate information (or uploaded images, such as a “.jpg” file withphotos, logos, etc.), an electronic file is produced corresponding tothe filled-in template and user provided information and/or data, asshown at step 186. The user is then presented with a form, whereby theuser can provide delivery and payment (e.g., credit card) information,as shown at step 188. Finally, the game piece which is produced, eitherautomatically or manually, is “delivered” to the user, either inphysical or electronic form (or both), as represented by step 190.

As described above, a translucent or transparent optical disc (e.g., aCD or DVD) can be used as a substrate for the hidden image game piece ofthe present invention. When an optical disc is used as the substrate,only discs which are not highly aluminized (e.g., discs which have notbeen aluminized or which have been only partially aluminized) are themost suitable for use as a game piece in accordance with the presentinvention. By way of example, an optical disc having a transparentportion, such as the optical discs sold by Denon Corporation under the“Cool Disc” trademark (See, U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 2,222,133 and U.S.Pat. No. D-453,521) which is only metallized on its central portion fordata recording, and which has a transparent outer annulus available forprinting thereon, can be used.

With reference to FIG. 21, an optical disc 200 (which can be a CD orDVD) is shown. The disc 200 has a metallized inner portion 202 and agenerally transparent outer, annular portion 204. In accordance with theinvention, as described herein, a hidden image game piece 206 and/or afilter 208 (as described above and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,062) can beprinted on the outer, transparent annular portion 204 of the disc 200.As many optical discs have a transparent inner annular portion 210surrounding the disc opening 212, those skilled in the art willrecognize that the transparent inner, annular portion 210 can also beused to print a hidden image game piece 214 and/or a filter 216, ifdesired. In the event that a game piece (or filter) is printed only onthe transparent inner, annular portion 210, the metallized portion 202can extend out to the periphery 218 of the disc 200.

As the optical disc 200 can hold a variety of data (e.g., music, movies,video games, data, etc.), the hidden image game piece can be used tohold either message associated with the an online game, or it couldcontain a code which is required to gain access to the content of thedisc 200, and thereby act as a “key” which can be used to protect thedata from that type of piracy which involves a disc-to-disc copy. If thehidden image is used to hold a “key” which can be displayed only byusing the game piece in the manner described herein, the data providedby such key can be used in a manner which is required to access thecontent of the optical disc. By way of example, the “key” can be anumber which must be input into the video game device, the DVD player,the computer, the CD player, etc. before the content of the optical discwill operate (or be displayed, or play on) such device.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the optical disc 200 ofthe present invention can also include electronic “game pieces” asdescribed above, and any electronic “game pieces” in the data on thedisc 200 can be used in conjunction with, or separately from the gamepieces 206 and/or 214 and/or the filters 208 and/or 216 for advertising,“advergaming”, promotions, contests, etc. It is even possible to devisepromotions in which certain combinations of filters and/or game pieceswhich are printed on the disc 200 can be used in conjunction withelectronic game pieces and/or filters which are displayed from datastored on the disc can be used in conjunction with each other based uponexternal factors such as a specific televised advertisement, an internetpromotion, or any other promotion within the scope of the invention asdescribed herein.

Although the description above contains much specificity, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention. The scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by theexamples given.

1. A game piece with a hidden image comprising: a substrate comprising afirst substantially transparent portion of an optical disc, said opticaldisc having a second portion which has a metallized layer formedthereon; a first visible layer comprising an image formed in a firstcolor, said first layer being formed in a manner which will assist inobfuscating an image to be hidden; a second visible layer containing animage to be hidden, said second layer being formed in said first color;and a third visible layer comprising an image formed in a second color,said second color being distinct from said first color, said third layerbeing formed in a manner which will assist in obfuscating said image tobe hidden which is on said second layer.
 2. The game piece of claim 1wherein said image on said first layer is comprised of text.
 3. The gamepiece of claim 2 wherein said image on said third layer is comprised oftext.
 4. The game piece of claim 3 wherein said image on said firstlayer and said image on said third layer are comprised of the same text.5. The game piece of claim 4 wherein said first color is selected fromthe group consisting of cyan, yellow, and magenta, and said second coloris selected from said group consisting of cyan, yellow, and magenta. 6.The game piece of claim 5 wherein said first color is yellow and saidsecond color is cyan.
 7. The game piece of claim 4 wherein said text isformed in lines.
 8. The game piece of claim 7 wherein said text isformed in wavy lines.
 9. The game piece of claim 8 wherein said wavylines of text on said first layer are displaced, whereby columns ofwhite space are minimized.
 10. The game piece of claim 9 wherein saidwavy lines of text on said third layer are displaced, whereby columns ofwhite space are minimized.
 11. The game piece of claim 10 wherein saidimage on said first layer is filtered.
 12. The game piece of claim 10wherein said image on said third layer is filtered.
 13. The game pieceof claim 12 wherein said hidden image on said second layer is text. 14.The game piece of claim 13 wherein said text on said first layer isformed in a san serif font.
 15. The game piece of claim 14 wherein saidtext on said second layer is formed in a serif font.
 16. The game pieceof claim 15 wherein said font used on said hidden text is larger inpoint size than said font used on said text in said first layer.
 17. Thegame piece of claim 16 wherein said font used on said hidden text isformed in outline with a transparent interior.
 18. The game piece ofclaim 10 wherein said first layer and said third layer are identical butoffset from one another.
 19. The game piece of claim 18 wherein saidoffset is approximately one-half character horizontally.
 20. The gamepiece of claim 19 wherein said offset is approximately one-half linevertically.
 21. The game piece of claim 1 wherein said firstsubstantially transparent portion of said optical disc comprises anouter annular portion of said optical disc.
 22. The game piece of claim21 wherein said second portion of said optical disc is comprised of aninner, substantially circular portion of said optical disc.
 23. The gamepiece of claim 1 wherein said first substantially transparent portion ofsaid optical disc comprises an inner circular portion of said opticaldisc, said inner circular portion surrounding a central opening in saidoptical disc.
 24. The game piece of claim 23 wherein said second portionof said optical disc is comprised of a substantially circular portion ofsaid optical disc which surrounds said transparent, inner circularportion of said disc.